{"id":41361,"date":"2022-10-26T08:10:21","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T14:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=41361"},"modified":"2023-03-29T09:16:27","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T15:16:27","slug":"elk-mountain-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-6-17-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=41361","title":{"rendered":"Elk Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-17-22"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 2 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!<\/em><\/p>\n

Wee hours – <\/em>The Carolina Dog was awake.\u00a0 Earlier, the night had been very dark despite a zillion stars overhead.\u00a0 That was then.\u00a0 Bellyache Flats was now drenched in the ghostly light of a dying moon.\u00a0 A faint breeze murmured something inaudible, then faded.\u00a0 Nothing stirred.<\/p>\n

Try to get some sleep, Loopster, or you’ll be exhausted before we ever get to Giant Deer Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,321 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/em><\/p>\n

I can’t sleep, SPHP!\u00a0 Not on the first night of a Dingo Vacation!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I know.\u00a0 Honestly, I don’t understand how you can peer endlessly into the night like you do, but suit yourself.\u00a0 Nothing’s happening is it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not so far, but you never know when something will, SPHP.\u00a0 Watching comes naturally for us American Dingoes.<\/em><\/p>\n

If Lupe did see anything in the night, she never mentioned it to SPHP.\u00a0 The next time SPHP pried an eyelid open, she actually was getting a few winks in.\u00a0 Already light out by then, though!\u00a0 As SPHP fired up the RAV4, Loop instantly sprang back to life.<\/p>\n

The early drive N on USFS Road No. 24 to Battle Park to register prior to entering the Cloud Peak Wilderness was exciting!\u00a0 Deer, and even a few giant deer, to bark at along the way!\u00a0 The last time time Lupe had been to Battle Park in 2018, the big clearing had been a horse camp city full of trucks, trailers, and people.\u00a0 However, this morning she arrived to find it deserted, except for a large herd of giant deers.\u00a0 They raced off as soon as the trembling Carolina Dog started her high-pitched whining.<\/p>\n

6:42 AM, 46\u00b0F, USFS Road No. 24, Middle Fork Trailhead<\/em> –\u00a0 Lupe stood smiling in the sunlight at the start of Trail No. 066 as SPHP hoisted the pack.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ready to set out from the Middle Fork trailhead. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No tiny house, SPHP?\u00a0 We’re taking on Giant Deer Mountain as a day hike?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 Most likely our best bet after what we saw from Buck Mountain<\/span><\/strong><\/a> yesterday evening, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Trail No. 066 started out as an ATV route.\u00a0 Winding NE, mostly through forest, it steadily gained elevation on its way to Lily Lake roughly 1.5 miles from the trailhead.\u00a0 Fairly early on, as the trail skirted the N side of a large meadow, it passed near a tributary of the Middle Fork of Paint Rock Creek.\u00a0 Beyond the meadow, Lupe came to a tiny snowmelt stream that trickled right down the middle of a long, muddy section of the trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the tributary of the Middle Fork of Paint Rock Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Trail No. 066 along the N edge of the first big meadow<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Following the snow melt stream flowing down the middle of Trail No. 066.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From almost the very beginning, patches of snow had been melting away in the forest.\u00a0 There was more snow by the time Lupe reached a wooden bridge over a small creek.\u00a0 After crossing the bridge, the trail steepened for 0.25 mile before beginning to top out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A second big meadow was ahead.\u00a0 The road angled N here, but Looper abandoned it, continuing NE while cutting across the open terrain.<\/p>\n

That’s Giant Deer Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,321 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> straight ahead, isn’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

No doubt about it, Loop!\u00a0 Our SW approach is looking very doable, too!\u00a0 Think we’ve made the right decision.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The second meadow. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Giant Deer Mountain<\/strong> dead ahead! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Glimpses of Lily Lake were soon visible beyond a line of trees along the N edge of the meadow.\u00a0 Trotting over to the shoreline to get a view of Giant Deer Mountain from the lake, the American Dingo crossed Trail No. 066 again, which had now turned E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Elk Mountain<\/strong> from Lily Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conifers surrounded Lily Lake on 3 sides, but the second meadow was vast.\u00a0 Extending along the E shore, it also encompassed a spacious, gently rolling region E of the lake.\u00a0 Clearly, the meadow was the easiest way to get closer to Giant Deer Mountain.\u00a0 As Lupe circled around the SE end of Lily Lake, the only question in SPHP’s mind was whether she would be able to get across the outlet stream that left the lake’s NE corner.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Re-entering the meadow near Lily Lake’s SE shore. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lily Lake’s E shore<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP needn’t have worried about that.\u00a0 Happily, a broad outlet channel quickly narrowed down to a little stream easily rock-hopped even in mid-June.\u00a0 After enjoying a cold drink, Lupe roamed the open territory NE of the creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The outlet channel at the NE corner of Lily Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exploring the open ground was fun!\u00a0 Progress was rapid.\u00a0 Lupe soon came to a rocky embankment.\u00a0 Since the region above it all appeared to be densely forested, she remained below, traveling along the base of the embankment in order to take full advantage of the meadow for as far as it went, which didn’t appear to be much farther at all.<\/p>\n

Even after plunging into the trees once the vast meadow came to an end, the forest proved surprisingly open, too.\u00a0 A small hidden clearing led to a much larger one.<\/p>\n

Everything was going great!\u00a0 Looked like Looper wasn’t going to have to endure as much of a struggle getting to tree line as SPHP originally anticipated.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Below the embankment (L), approaching the end of the vast meadow. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Traveling a nice open lane through the forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Entering another sizable clearing. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, the going got tougher once this larger clearing ended.\u00a0 Turning N, Lupe followed game trails up onto a ridge where the forest was much denser.\u00a0 A 25 foot descent on the other side of the ridge led to a small stream flowing among boulders.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Wading in the bouldery creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After another drink, Loop explored ENE up the stream a little way.\u00a0 It soon divided into a multitude of rivulets and disappeared.\u00a0 The forest was so thick that SPHP had difficulty pushing through.<\/p>\n

Wandering N or NW, opportunistically following narrow open lanes whenever possible, another stream was reached.\u00a0 A rocky ridge was now visible to the NNE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By another stream, after breaking out of the forest again. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heading over to the base of the ridge, the first section looked to be only 30 feet high, or so.\u00a0 It appeared likely Lupe might reach an open region up there where SPHP anticipated she would be able to follow a broad, grassy bench ENE.<\/p>\n

The scrambling wasn’t hard, but Lupe had to climb twice as high and go 3 times as far as SPHP expected before reaching the bench.\u00a0 When the American Dingo got there, the news was terrible!\u00a0 Instead of a smooth, grassy plain, a jumble of talus stretched away to the ENE.\u00a0 Scattered stands of conifers only amounted to additional obstacles.<\/p>\n

A bit of grass barely visible up on a rise at the far end of the boulder field held out the only glimmer of hope for better terrain ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the talus-infested bench. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not much choice!\u00a0 A tedious boulder hop began.\u00a0 A couple of spots were scary, as Lupe barely managed to make the required leaps between giant chunks of talus.\u00a0 SPHP’s progress was dreadfully slow.\u00a0 More than an hour and a half slipped by just getting up to a first little grassy spot where a rest break could be taken.<\/p>\n

Beef jerky, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

Don’t mind if I do, SPHP!\u00a0 Bring it on!<\/em><\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog practically inhaled each piece of jerky offered, while SPHP munched calmly away.\u00a0 Looking SW back toward Lily Lake, it seemed Lupe hadn’t made it very far, or gained all that much elevation, considering the amount of effort expended coming up the talus bench.\u00a0 Lily Lake appeared to be only 500 feet lower than the rest spot.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Climbing toward the first rest spot. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lily Lake<\/strong> (Center) from the first rest spot. The talus bench<\/strong> (R) just crossed, and Buck Mountain<\/strong> (L) in the distance. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Criminy!\u00a0 Going to be a mighty long day at this rate, Loopster!\u00a0 Still have another 1,300 feet to go!<\/em><\/p>\n

Guess we better get at it then, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

More talus was above the rest spot, but Lupe didn’t have to scramble much higher before reaching the patch of greenery that had been visible from a distance.\u00a0 A most encouraging sight was ahead!\u00a0 A lovely little stream gurgled down a wide swath of grass stretching up a long slope.<\/p>\n

A series of high points was visible considerably farther up the mountain, each rising above the one before.\u00a0 Lupe headed for them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, yeah! Much better!<\/em> Continuing higher on much easier terrain. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pasques.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This long trek higher started out easy enough, but eventually the grassy region withered away as the terrain became increasingly rocky again.\u00a0 At first, the rocks were much smaller than the talus field encountered earlier, and lanes of vegetation could still be found.\u00a0 Pressing on, though, the rocks grew in size.\u00a0 Grass became scarce.\u00a0 Another endless rock hop!<\/p>\n

Upon reaching two large flat rocks at a small grass oasis, Lupe and SPHP were both ready for a break.\u00a0 HP10882<\/span><\/strong> was now in sight, about 60 feet higher, off to the W.\u00a0 To the NNE, the most distant of the high points Lupe had been climbing toward appeared to be the true summit of Giant Deer Mountain.\u00a0 Still a ways off, but Lupe had made considerable progress.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Closing in on the line of high points. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Not far from HP10882<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The apparent summit<\/strong> (Center) from the smaller of the two flat rocks. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing NNE from the two flat rocks, there was almost no vegetation.\u00a0 The rock-hopping slog higher got steadily tougher as long snow banks and big talus appeared.\u00a0 The snow was so soft and slushy that it wouldn’t hold even Lupe’s weight.\u00a0 Completely avoiding it seemed advisable due to the many holes hidden in the rough terrain beneath it.<\/p>\n

Winding between the long snow banks lengthened the route, and the higher the American Dingo went, the more snow there was to contend with.\u00a0 Near the end, Loop finally reached the base of a much deeper and steeper snow field that covered so much territory that avoiding it wasn’t going to be easy.\u00a0 SPHP tested the surface.\u00a0 A couple feet beyond the soft edge, this snow had a much harder crust.<\/p>\n

We’re in luck, Looper!\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the summit region. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the last snowfield. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Traveling over the hardened snow was so much easier than scrambling among the rocks!\u00a0 Lupe quickly got up to where the snow field leveled out up top.\u00a0 To the NE, a big wall of talus several hundred feet long was directly ahead.<\/p>\n

The high point Lupe had been heading for all this time was now only a little off to the NW, and clearly higher.\u00a0 At the very top, a lone boulder in the shape of a massive, fallen column leaned against some other huge rocks, projecting skyward like the barrel of a cannon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the upper snow field, with a wall of talus ahead. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the NW high point topped by Cannon Barrel Rock<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cannon Barrel Rock looked like a mighty airy perch, but a quick glance around revealed that it wasn’t really the true summit.\u00a0 Toward the SE, another outcropping of big talus appeared to be even higher.\u00a0 The true summit of Giant Deer Mountain had to be somewhere over that way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The true summit turned out to be this way. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heading over to explore this outcropping, Lupe discovered a patch of grass next to a snow melt puddle.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog promptly plunked herself down.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the soft grass next to the snow melt puddle. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Can we take a break, SPHP?\u00a0 It’s been a long climb, with so many rocks to leap over!\u00a0 I’m soooo tired and sleepy!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure thing, Looper!\u00a0 Knew you’d get sleepy after staying up half the night.\u00a0 Relax a bit.\u00a0 We can’t be far from the top now, anyway.<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP shared some more beef jerky.\u00a0 Lupe devoured a bowl of Taste of the Wild, too.\u00a0 Then, while the weary American Dingo dozed on the soft grass, SPHP sat munching an apple.\u00a0 Turned out Loop wasn’t the only would-be peakbagger on Giant Deer Mountain.\u00a0 A fuzzy caterpillar had made it way up here, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing on Giant Deer Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The intrepid caterpillar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20 minutes hardly seemed like enough of a break, but the time had come to find out if Lupe could actually get to the top of Giant Deer Mountain.\u00a0 Returning to the snow field, she climbed a bit higher, circling around to the N side of the SE talus outcropping.\u00a0 From up here, the outcropping was seen to be a ridge extending farther SE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The summit ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ascending near the NW end of the ridge, the rocks were so huge that SPHP had to give Lupe a boost at a couple of points to get her to the ridgeline.\u00a0 Once on top, cautiously working SE among the enormous rocks, Lupe headed for a big rock shaped like a gumdrop.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the summit ridge, heading for Gumdrop Rock<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe got close to Gumdrop Rock, higher rocks were visible beyond it.\u00a0 Something else was visible, too – a tall, thin pole standing erect.\u00a0 That had to be it!\u00a0 The true summit of Giant Deer Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,321 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was over by that skinny pole!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The skinny pole<\/strong> (Center) from Gumdrop Rock<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ridge narrowed as Lupe headed for the pole.\u00a0 15 feet NW of it, she came to a tiny patch of dirt and moss tucked down among the talus.\u00a0 Loop could sit on this mossy spot comfortably enough, but it was so small that she couldn’t really lay down.\u00a0 A brief rest here, and the final scramble to the summit was on.<\/p>\n

2:37 PM, 65\u00baF, 10 mph SW breeze<\/em> – Two big rocks next to the tall pole, each large enough to provide a decent, but solitary perch, proved to be the true summit of Giant Deer Mountain.\u00a0 The American Dingo needed another boost from SPHP, rather awkwardly rendered, to get to either one.\u00a0 After photos by the skinny pole, Lupe stood on the SE rock, while SPHP sat on the NW one.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the skinny pole on top of Giant Deer Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Made it!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit<\/strong>. The summit ridge<\/strong> (R) extended farther SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We made it, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, we did, Loop!\u00a0 Congratulations on your successful ascent of Giant Deer Mountain!<\/em><\/p>\n

Chocolate coconut bar, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Uh, yeah, but not here.\u00a0 A bit airy for that.\u00a0 Look at that E ridge, Loop!\u00a0 Would have taken us a month of Sundays to get here from that direction.\u00a0 Glad we came up from the SW.<\/em><\/p>\n

Me too, SPHP!\u00a0 Look at these views, though, simply spectacular!<\/em><\/p>\n

Indeed, they were!\u00a0 Giant Deer Mountain’s E ridge, a jumble of talus with sections nearly as high as where Lupe stood now, snaked away for more than a mile.\u00a0 Beyond it, still significantly snow-clad, the mightiest peaks of the entire Bighorn range were on display.<\/p>\n

Black Tooth Mountain<\/span><\/a> (13,005 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Mount Woolsey<\/span><\/a> (12,978 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Bomber Mountain<\/span><\/a> (1<\/span><\/strong>2,840 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>, Peak<\/span> 12,328<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, Mather Peaks<\/span><\/a> (12,400 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Darton Peak<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0(12,275 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Bighorn Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,324 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and others were all in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Giant Deer Mountain’s E ridge<\/strong> (foreground). Cloud Peak<\/strong> (far L), Bomber Mountain<\/strong> (L), Florence Pass<\/strong> (Center) Peak 12328<\/strong> (R of Center), Mather Peaks<\/strong> (R), and Peak 12080<\/strong> (far R) beyond. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 12473<\/strong> (L), Black Tooth Mountain<\/strong> & Mount Woolsey<\/strong> (L of Center), Cloud Peak<\/strong> (Center), Bomber Mountain<\/strong> (R), Florence Pass<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Florence Pass<\/strong> (far L), Peak 12328<\/strong> (L), Mather Peaks<\/strong> (L of Center), Peak 12080<\/strong>, Darton Peak<\/strong> & Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You know, Loop, Giant Deer Mountain<\/span><\/a> (11,321 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> has got to be the best vantage point we’ve ever been to, as far as having a clear view of so many of the highest peaks in the Bighorns!\u00a0 Incredible what we can see from here!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Part of the route up. Buck Mountain<\/strong> (Center), Lily Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the fabulous panorama, SPHP was nervous about letting Lupe remain up on such a cramped, airy perch for long.\u00a0 Essentially the same views had been available from all along the summit ridge, and even from the much safer terrain where Lupe had first started up it.<\/p>\n

No registry or survey benchmark.\u00a0 5 minutes of glory spent basking in the splendor of the Bighorn Mountains from Giant Deer Mountain’s true summit, then SPHP helped Lupe down off her lofty boulder.\u00a0 A careful retreat to the security of the little spot of dirt and moss, and not 1, but 2 celebratory chocolate coconut bars bit the dust in short order.<\/p>\n

The scramble NW back along the summit ridge to where Lupe had come up was roughly 300 feet long.\u00a0 The American Dingo paused frequently to enjoy the views as SPHP poked along amidst the big talus.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting back along the summit ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 11806<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center), Peak 12473<\/strong> (R), Black Tooth Mountain<\/strong> & Mount Woolsey<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 11806<\/span><\/strong> (far R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Close to where Lupe would leave the N (R) side of the summit ridge. Cannon Barrel Rock<\/strong> (L) atop Giant Deer Mountain’s NW high point<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once down off the summit ridge, Looper took a final look at the grand vista available from several boulders nearby.\u00a0 She then returned to the grassy spot by the snow melt puddle for another rest before beginning the long descent of Giant Deer Mountain’s SW slope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 12473<\/strong> (L of Center), Black Tooth Mountain<\/strong> & Mount Woolsey<\/strong> (R of Center), Cloud Peak<\/strong> (R), Bomber Mountain<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Final rest break by the snow melt puddle. Cannon Barrel Rock<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Starting down. Lily Lake<\/strong> (Center) with HP10882<\/span><\/strong> in front of it. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Leaving Giant Deer Mountain’s summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The return was an adventure in itself!\u00a0 Venturing farther W along the big snowfield near the summit, Lupe lost plenty of elevation with relative ease before coming to such a soft patch that even the Carolina Dog was post-holing and floundering.\u00a0 SPHP lost a boot deep in the snow, and had a dandy time extracting it.<\/p>\n

Descending the talus field while avoiding the long snow banks seemed just as hard as on the way up.\u00a0 SPHP was surprised when Lupe managed to find the 2 flat rocks again E of HP10882<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 After that, life got easier once the grassy lanes among the rocks reappeared.<\/p>\n

An attempt to avoid the lower talus field failed miserably.\u00a0 By the time Lupe reached the forest, a big wind had come up out of the SE, bringing rain.\u00a0 SPHP donned a brand new red rain jacket for the first time ever, the ancient blue plastic Cookie Monster poncho having finally given up the ghost on Bruce Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> nearly a year ago.\u00a0 The squall promptly ended.<\/p>\n

Venturing farther S this time, Lupe got close to the Middle Fork of Paint Rock Creek.\u00a0 At one point her route was blocked by a pond not shown on the map.\u00a0 Passing S of HP9746<\/span><\/strong>, it was nearly dark by the time Loop made it back to the E shore of Lily Lake.<\/p>\n

During the trek back down Trail No. 066, SPHP was profoundly weary.\u00a0 Lupe, on the other paw, seemed energized by the black forest, sniffing along in and out of the weak beam of the little flashlight.\u00a0 SPHP finally begged for mercy, laying down next to the trail to doze in the dirt.\u00a0 The ordeal didn’t end until the RAV4 was reached at 11:05 PM.<\/p>\n

What a day!\u00a0 Long, sort of grueling, but that was OK.\u00a0 Lupe had made it to Giant Deer Mountain!\u00a0 Her 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation was off to an auspicious start.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Giant Deer (Elk) Mountain<\/strong>, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-17-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 2 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming! Wee hours – The Carolina Dog was awake.\u00a0 Earlier, the night had been very dark despite a zillion stars overhead.\u00a0 That was then.\u00a0 Bellyache Flats was now drenched in the ghostly light of a dying moon.\u00a0 A faint breeze murmured something inaudible, then … Continue reading Elk Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-17-22<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1585],"tags":[105,185,106,26,640,1042,104,275],"class_list":["post-41361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1585","tag-american-dingo","tag-bighorn-mountains","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-elk-mountain","tag-lily-lake","tag-lupe","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_4745-scaled.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41361"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46226,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41361\/revisions\/46226"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}